Blade Sampler Pack - Where to Begin?

[Frito Ray]

The 6c

Good! A three piece razor is a good place to start, plus I’m 99% sure that it uses standard threads. If you like the handle then there are many vendors that sell head-only versions of razors for a decent price difference.

The main reason I asked is that I have their basic TTO(twist to open) called the Rookie and I don’t like it at all. The design is so wide it makes it impossible to shave under the nose.

Of the blades you mentioned, one of my recent surprises was the Derby Premium. It is a medium sharpness and is quite comfortable to my skin. I had avoided Derby products since I started because of the bad press it got, so I was pleasantly surprised that it agreed with me.

 

[GR5233]

Of the blades listed I’d say start with either the Perma-Sharps, Astra Platinum or Astra Stainless. In that order

 

[TripleB]

Thanks to everyone for you incredibly helpful advice.

I started with the Astra SP blades for my first shave last Friday and will continue to use them until I feel like I have a solid grasp of how to wet shave (1 month? 3 months? 6 months? - whatever it takes).

They worked extremely well in my 1967 Super Speed TTO but not so well in my Rockwell 6C - come to find out it was because I was too scared to use anything but plate 1 in the Rockwell (you can see my full First Wet Shave Experience in the Newbie section). Going to move to plate 2 and plate 3 in the Rockwell this afternoon - I'm sure that and feeling less nervous about shaving will make a huge difference on how the razor blade performs in the Rockwell.

I know it's different depending on the beard and the blade and the number of days growth, but typically, how many shaves will a blade like the Astra SP last before I should change it. I understand it's when it starts pulling the hair instead of cutting it, but the pulling could just be from my poor technique. LOL

Again, I appreciate all the help you've given me!

TripleB

 

[ShavingPrimate]

I know it's different depending on the beard and the blade and the number of days growth, but typically, how many shaves will a blade like the Astra SP last before I should change it. I understand it's when it starts pulling the hair instead of cutting it, but the pulling could just be from my poor technique. LOL

That's not the problem, though it seems obvious that it would be.

What happens is the modern DE blades develop micro cracks along the edge from flexing.

The scraping noise you hear while shaving is the edge of the blade vibrating on your face.

Think of it like fabric fraying at the edges.

The problem often is that this fraying can happen while the edge still remains sharp. The edge develops tiny cracks abd is uneven, this puts tiny cuts in your skin.

These don't bleed but they are scraping your skin. This results in razor burn!

Razor burn is like sunburn. You often don't feel the effects until hours later and then it just burns like a sunburn.

This happened to me. I used to shave with DE blades many years ago. They typically would last a couple of weeks. I stopped and used cartridges for a several decades.

When I returned to DE shaving, I didn't realize that the blades had changed. Modern blades are thinner and sharper. They shave better but tend to acure edge damage before the get dull and start to tug.

This is why most people tend to change out their DE blades after only a few shaves.

DE blades in general do not last anywhere as long as cartridge blades. That is OK because you can buy a hundred DE blades for the price of a couple of cartridges.

Suggest you limit yourself to only a few days on a single blade, maybe 4-5? Hard to say, every face is unique.

I have found that I can generally change my blade once each week. The last two years I have a thread about changing a blade weekly and have shaved with many different blades.

Pre wetting your face and putting down a nice lubricating layer is paramount to a good DE shave. Don't put excessive pressure on the razor as you would with a cartridge razor. Use just the amount necessary to keep the blade against your face.

 

[DesertIguana]

Double Edge Razor Blades | Choose Your Sample Pack

We have taken the guess work out of selecting DE blades to try. We have multiple Sample Packs available so you can try out brands before buying in bulk.

www.razoremporium.com

 

[Albert V]

I have tried about six of the blades listed, and about 6-8 others. Of the ones listed my favorites are Nacet and Perma-Sharp. Rockwells are not so hot and I use a Rockwell 6 exclusively. Astra SP seem to be an overall fan favorite - the blade most like but very few hate. After a year and half of playing with different blades (and razors) I picked up a few hundred Perma-Sharps (Came out to 10 cents/blade). I could just as easily gone with the Nacets but at the time they were 2x the price.

In a year or so after you have done your tests, if you find you incline towards sharp blades, consider picking up a pack of Feather and Kai. They are top tier for sharpness.

 

[ShavingPrimate]

I could just as easily gone with the Nacets but at the time they were 2x the price.

To me, Perma-Sharps and Nacets are easily exchangeable. No need to buy either over the other at twice the price.

Hard to beat at 10¢ each. Those wanting a super sharp blade need not spend 3 to 4 times as much as other offerings.

 

[Keyvan]

Thanks to everyone for you incredibly helpful advice.

I started with the Astra SP blades for my first shave last Friday and will continue to use them until I feel like I have a solid grasp of how to wet shave (1 month? 3 months? 6 months? - whatever it takes).

They worked extremely well in my 1967 Super Speed TTO but not so well in my Rockwell 6C - come to find out it was because I was too scared to use anything but plate 1 in the Rockwell (you can see my full First Wet Shave Experience in the Newbie section). Going to move to plate 2 and plate 3 in the Rockwell this afternoon - I'm sure that and feeling less nervous about shaving will make a huge difference on how the razor blade performs in the Rockwell.

I know it's different depending on the beard and the blade and the number of days growth, but typically, how many shaves will a blade like the Astra SP last before I should change it. I understand it's when it starts pulling the hair instead of cutting it, but the pulling could just be from my poor technique. LOL

Again, I appreciate all the help you've given me!

TripleB

For me the Astras last 3 or 4 shaves. The Nacets last much longer; they become sharper after the initial shave (maybe too sharp) and calm down after the 4th shave. Keep in mind that the sharpness of most coated blades increases after the initial shave. Stainless steel blades (e.g. Astra Blue and Feather) are sharpest during the initial shave. Use them 3 or 4 times and toss them if you don't like the performance.